Top 10 Whisky Lists

We were consindering which topics could be interesting for whisky enthusiasts like you are. Results obtain from a survey based on the feedback of whisky groups in the ordinary social media channels.

10 significant historical facts

1494
The first evidence of whisky production was written in the so called Exchequer Rolls, where malt is sent “To Friar John Cor, by order of the king, to make aquavitae”.

1608
The Old Bushmills Distillery got the license to distill whisky. That’s why people say it’s the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world.

1643/ 1644
Taxes were charged on whisky in Ireland & Scotland. Due to distilling whisky
illegally, it was prohibited in Ireland (1661) & Scotland (1707).

1736
The first evidence of the word “whisky” as an Anglicism of the Scottish-Gaelic words uisge beatha (uisge = water, beatha = life) was written.

1757
The oldest legal Irish distillery was founded in Kilbeggan.

1775-1779
The oldest legal Scottish distilleries were founded in Glenturret and Bowmore.

1794
George Washington (as an owner of a distillery) was forced to
charge taxes on whisky as the young American Nation needed money.
As a result the Whiskey rebellion in Monongahela River Valley (W. Pennsylvania) happened – young settlers revolted against the taxes. The revolt was beard down very fast by a 13.000 men army, headed by George Washington.

1822/23
In Scotland the Illicit Distillation Act and the Act of Excuse simplified the tax-laws. More farmers were able to distill whisky legally from now on.
The Glenlivet Distillery opened as the first one that distilled whisky with that new legislation. It is described in packaging and advertising as
“The single malt that started it all“.

1826-1856
In 1826 Robert Stein subscribed the patent for continuous distillery (patent still).
Aeneas Coffey modified Stein’s procedure. and established the Pure Corn Whiskey in 1832. The first blended whisky was made by Andrew Usher jun. in 1856 (Usher’s Green Stripe).

1920-1933
Due to the American Prohibition once again a lot of distilleries had to close.
The only whisky that was able to buy in America has been Laphroig whisky because it was sold as a medicament in pharmacies.

Top 10 whisky terms a beginner should know

Single Malt
Single malt whisky is a whisky made at one particular distillery from a mash that uses only malted grain, ordinarily barley. (Wikipedia)

Whisky vs. Whiskey
“Whisky” is the standard notation with it’s origin in Scotland. The guys from Ireland spell it “Whiskey”.
Whisky is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Various grains (which may be malted) are used for different varieties, including barley, corn (maize), rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden casks, generally made of charred white oak. (Wikipedia)

Nosing
The sensory detecting of scents and smells on the upper respiratory tract. It’s the first, the primary part of the process to drink a great whisky. You should take sufficient time because it’s essential for the further pleasure that will come by drinking that great stuff.

Tasting
The tasting process begins by pouring a small gulp of whisky into a nosing glass. Then you swivel the glass around so the liquid mixes with oxygen. Now put your nose in the top of the glass and take a deep breathe. Try to distinguish the complex smell. Repeat this process another two or three times.
It’s time to take a small gulp. Try to absorb the flavour that covers your tounge and palate. Now add a few drops of water and smell and try the whisky again till you cannot detect any further flavour. Enjoy the worlds best liquid – it’s nature, spirit, maturity and it’s good for the soul.

Cask strength
Cask strength is a term used in whisky-making to describe the level of alcohol-by-volume (abv) strength that is used for a whisky during its storage in a cask for maturation – typically in the range of 60–65% abv. Most bottled whisky is diluted with water to bring its strength down to a level that makes it less expensive to produce and more palatable to most consumers, usually about 40% abv. The degree of dilution is said to bring out different flavours of the whisky, which can affect the decisions of the producers regarding the concentration they select for the bottling of their various brands. (Wikipedia)

ScotchScotch whisky, often simply called Scotch, is malt whisky or grain whisky made in Scotland. Scotch whisky must be made in a manner specified by law. All Scotch whisky was originally made from malted barley. Commercial distilleries began introducing whisky made from wheat and rye in the late 18th century. Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories:
-single malt Scotch whisky
-single grain Scotch whisky
-blended malt Scotch whisky (formerly called “vatted malt” or “pure malt”)
-blended grain Scotch whisky and
-blended Scotch whisky.
All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. (Wikipedia)

Distillation

Distillation is a process of separating the component substances from a liquid mixture by selective evaporation and condensation. Distillation may result in essentially complete separation (nearly pure components), or it may be a partial separation that increases the concentration of selected components of the mixture. In either case the process exploits differences in the volatility of mixture’s components. In industrial chemistry, distillation is a unit operation of practically universal importance, but it is a physical separation process and not a chemical reaction. (Wikipedia)